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Learn to produce photographic products that will generate a sense of pride while showcasing the best that Washington Oaks Gardens State Park has to offer. Accomplished photographers Ed Siarkowicz and Lisa Fisher will lead both novice and professional photography students through a variety of settings and environments that will enhance their skill sets. Student assignments will be framed in a manner that enhances the Florida Park Service's mission, strengthening ties to both natural and cultural resources. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

Gasparilla Island’s own version of the classic Easter Egg Hunt, but using sea shells instead of eggs. Meet at the Picnic Pavilion next door to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum. This program includes a short talk about our local shells and then participants take to the beach for collecting designated “colored” shells. All participants receive a prize. This program is appropriate for children 2 to 10 years old.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Dr. Julian G. Bruce St George Island State Park along with astronomer Bill Nigg will be hosting a daily telescope observation program about sunspots, weather permitting. Participants will use a high powered telescope equipped with solar filters to safely observe the sun. The focus will be on the movement, quantity, and development of sunspots over the course of a month. Through these observations we will gain a better understanding of the power of the Earth’s most stable energy supplier.

Additional Information:

Participation requirements

Program will be held at Volunteer Campsite #3 in the campground.

Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse Hike@ Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Standard park entrance/admission fees will apply. However, there is no additional fee charged to participate in the program

More Information:For additional information, you can stop by the Ranger Station/Entrance or call 850-267-8330 to register or ask to speak with Park Services Specialists Clayton Iron Wolf or Christina Saidak.

Located in the Northwest region at:

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to enjoy an informational program about one of the imperiled species which calls the park home. Beach mice inhabit coastal dunes in the panhandle and along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Development of coastal areas has caused a loss of habitat for beach mice and other plants and animals that live in the dunes. Due to this loss of habitat and predation by coyotes and feral cats, five of the six subspecies of beach mice found in Florida are state and federally listed as either endangered or threatened. Enter the park through the main gate and park staff will direct you to Tram Station 1 where a Ranger will meet you and transportation to the beach access area will be provided. Interested individuals should contact the park in advance of the date and time for the program and pre-register. This program has a maximum person limit of 15 and children must be at least 8 years of age to attend.

Additional Information:

Participation Requirements Following the ride to the beach the hike will be through the coastal/dune areas of the park. It is recommended that you wear proper apparel and footwear for the weather and terrain. It is further recommended that you have sunscreen, insect repellent and drinking water.

Join staff along paved trails and roads, learning about the park's unique natural and cultural history. The tour is approximately 2 hours long and may be too long or vigorous for young children or persons who are not able to handle cycling about 5-6 miles.

Game Night@ Oscar Scherer State Park

This after hour program is open to registered campers only and free to participate.

More Information:Ranger Station 941-483-5956

Located in the Southwest region at:

Oscar Scherer State Park

1843 South Tamiami Trail

Osprey, FL 34229

This family-friendly winter program is a great way to unwind after a long day while meeting new friends. Located in the Nature Center, various individual and group based games are available for general use and campers are welcome to bring their own. Available games include: Checkers, Chess, Dominos, Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee, Stratego, Farkle, a variety of card games, and many, many more.

Seating is limited. Bring a cushion for your added seating comfort. Please help us to accommodate those who are chemically sensitive by not wearing fragrances and other scented products. Essential Eligibility Criteria: 1) Must have the ability to follow visual and/or verbal instruction independently or with the assistance of a companion. (Adaptive listening devices available), 2) Must have the ability to stand or sit independently or with the assistance of a companion for 1 hour. We recommend that visitors bring a seat cushion for the pew-like benches.(Wheelchair accessible), 3) Must have the ability to withstand fluctuations in temperature due to air conditioning. We recommend visitors bring a sweater.

Paradise Park was a segregated Florida attraction opened in 1949 by the owners of Silver Springs, the state’s oldest attraction, and operated by an African-American staff until 1969.

In conjunction with the Appleton Museum of Art's exhibit, Silver Springs State Park will host a selection of photographs from Paradise Park in the Education Center. The Education Center is open every day from 8:00 a.m. until sundown.

Also in the Education Center, current Silver Springs and former Paradise Park boat captain David Faison will walk visitors down memory lane every Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. sharing stories from his 58 years of service and taking questions.

Additional Information:

To get to this exhibit at Silver Springs State Park, enter the park through the main entrance located at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40).

Paradise Park Remembered was organized by the Appleton Museum of Art and Lu Vickers on behalf of the late Bruce Mozert, in partnership with Silver Springs State Park, Friends of Silver Springs and Marion County Black Archives. The exhibition at the Appleton Museum features approximately 100 photographs taken by Mozert, former Silver Springs staff photographer, as well as snapshots from private collections and Marion County Black Archives.

For more information about the main exhibit, or the Appleton Museum of Art, visit their website.